Will Kerrigan be an Antagonist?

This is a question that's been bugging me for awhile. After the events of SC: Bw, my gut reaction is that yes; Kerrigan will feature as an antagonist to the other main characters in SC2. However, she doesn't strike me as the type to ally herself with the Xel'Naga. Moreover, she's a smart girl. If the Xel'Naga are indeed returning, it's not likely to bode well for her reign over the Swarm. Hence, she might seek out alliances to increase her odds.

The question is: who? It's pretty much a given that Raynor, on pain of death, would likely never work with Kerrigan again after her backstab during the Brood War. Artanis, while not impossible, is likely too headstrong and 'morally' driven to ally with her until things get really dire. That leaves only Mengsk and Zeratul, both of which I can see happening as all three seem able to separate themselves from their emotions and think things through rationally.

Finally, there's the opening cinematic that was shown at last year's Blizzcon, which ended at a cliffhanger when Kerrigan shows up. If Kerrigan and Zeratul did fight one another, it's likely that only one of them would be alive at the end of it. However, both of them are seen to be alive after the confrontation; which leads me to believe Kerrigan and Zeratul may have formed an alliance (if only temporary) to investigate the prophecy/get the Artifacts.

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That leaves only Mengsk and Zeratul, both of which I can see happening as all three seem able to separate themselves from their emotions and think things through rationally.

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Are you kidding me. What makes you think just because Raynor is on pain of death he won't ally, but Zeratul, the guy who was forced to kill his own matriarch would ally up? I highly doubt Mengsk would either. He'd probably realize she'd backstab him again. She was the one who destroyed his entire empire and let him rebuild it.

This is a good idea, and requires thought.

This bit right here is pure speculation, but I was under the impression that Zeratul got backup in the form of Stalkers in those caves. In the StarCraft II introductory cinematic, we are shown a Hydralisk in some caves being savaged by a blue energy bolt fired from the left.

All we have is speculation, naturally. However, it is assured that Jacob/Zamara give Zeratul a boost one way or another, just enough for him to go from emo to badass again. Who knows what information Zamara imparts? Perhaps it is through HER that he receives knowledge of the prophecy in which Kerrigan figures so prominently? Perhaps the prophecy itself demands an alliance with Kerrigan, who represents not the "culmination", but provides the path to it? Culmination of WHAT, exactly? The Hybrids?... or an alliance to defeat the Hybrids?

It's like a prophecy in an enigma wrapped in a mystery inside a creme eclaire.

I get the feeling that Kerrigan will be an antagonist, but not necessarily the main antagonist of the entire story arc. I think we're meant to empathize with her to a certain degree. The cinematic depicting her betrayal at New Gettysburg might be part of that. She was a originally a decent person who ended up being betrayed by someone she she trusted the most. That cinematic might drive that point. She's evil, but she's a tragic villain in a way.

Prophecy, bah! All shall be reveal soon.....
So where did that one come from? Dark Origins? Duran and Zeratul never talked about a 'prophecy', only about the 'completion of a cycle'.

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Originally Posted by LordArreat15

Prophecy, bah! All shall be reveal soon.....
So where did that one come from? Dark Origins? Duran and Zeratul never talked about a 'prophecy', only about the 'completion of a cycle'.

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Well, SC2's opening cinematic featured Zeratul reading some ancient markings that showed the coming of the Zerg and the return of the Xel'Naga. Given these appear to have been made long ago, sounds like a prophecy to me.

I think that Kerrigan is pretty much on her own after everything she has done.
Unless it's painfully obvious that they must join forces or be wiped off, i don't see anyone allying with Kerrigan, and even then, they will keep an eye on her. But i think it's obvious that everyone would backstab Kerrigan at the first opportunity, so i don't see her risking that happening, unless it's truly unavoidable.

I agree with Nord, Kerrigan has a snowball's chance in hell of ever finding an ally, indeed I suspect most of the main characters would refuse an alliance just to spite her, even if they really ought to ally.

No allies for the Zerg.

I wonder what the ultimate fate of Kerrigan and the Zerg will be. It's their nature to grow, consume and destroy; they don't do things any other way. So, for there to be an 'end' to this, they have to kill or be killed. There's no living peacefully with them, no middle ground.

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Originally Posted by Norfindel

I think that Kerrigan is pretty much on her own after everything she has done.
Unless it's painfully obvious that they must join forces or be wiped off, i don't see anyone allying with Kerrigan, and even then, they will keep an eye on her. But i think it's obvious that everyone would backstab Kerrigan at the first opportunity, so i don't see her risking that happening, unless it's truly unavoidable.

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The best part of this is that it could be used as a growing experience for Kerrigan's character. I'm reminded of the words of Merlin in the film Excalibur: "You betrayed the Duke. You stole his wife. You took his castle. Now no one trusts you."

Kerrigan standing alone, abandoned before an implacable foe yet again. Only this time she's abandoned due to her own folly. And all she had to do was not kill people for no particular reason.

However, I don't think for a minute that Blizzard's going to do that. It's way too subtle a point for them.

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I wonder what the ultimate fate of Kerrigan and the Zerg will be. It's their nature to grow, consume and destroy; they don't do things any other way. So, for there to be an 'end' to this, they have to kill or be killed. There's no living peacefully with them, no middle ground.

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If the Overmind were in control of the Zerg, I would agree. However, Kerrigan is human. She can learn to get along with others in a relatively peaceful society.

She doesn't want to.

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Originally Posted by Visions of Khas

This is a good idea, and requires thought.

This bit right here is pure speculation, but I was under the impression that Zeratul got backup in the form of Stalkers in those caves. In the StarCraft II introductory cinematic, we are shown a Hydralisk in some caves being savaged by a blue energy bolt fired from the left.

All we have is speculation, naturally. However, it is assured that Jacob/Zamara give Zeratul a boost one way or another, just enough for him to go from emo to badass again. Who knows what information Zamara imparts? Perhaps it is through HER that he receives knowledge of the prophecy in which Kerrigan figures so prominently? Perhaps the prophecy itself demands an alliance with Kerrigan, who represents not the "culmination", but provides the path to it? Culmination of WHAT, exactly? The Hybrids?... or an alliance to defeat the Hybrids?

It's like a prophecy in an enigma wrapped in a mystery inside a creme eclaire.

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I have a feeling that we'll see a repeat of WC3's story...Xe'Naga turn out to be good, and they make Kerrigan, Zeratul and Raynor ally together to eliminate some other alien race that's a threat to them all.

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Originally Posted by Alex06

I have a feeling that we'll see a repeat of WC3's story...Xe'Naga turn out to be good, and they make Kerrigan, Zeratul and Raynor ally together to eliminate some other alien race that's a threat to them all.

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I pray that wont happen. That sounds horrible. Kerrigan should never ally anyone again it would.. ugh it wouldnt make any sense because everyone should know no matter what happens kerrigan is going to try and kill you. Even if your going to ally her to save your life after she is just going to kill you. That would be horrible if they all allied. The only people that should ally are terran and protoss and it should be limited as much as possible. I want them to be enemies! NON STOP SLAUGHTER!

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I have a feeling that we'll see a repeat of WC3's story...Xe'Naga turn out to be good, and they make Kerrigan, Zeratul and Raynor ally together to eliminate some other alien race that's a threat to them all.

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I think not. Through all the major SC races will have to ally once again briefly, to fight the new growing menace to survive despite their past. Zeratul did bring warning of the Xel'naga returning to Raynor (Kerrigan might know of it now.) will bring doom to the end of all things.

Kerrigan will probably be the wild card in the deck. The bastard that she usually is. Screwing people over, playing childish games: all for the fun of it, and all for personal gain. There's absolutely nothing that will change that. Until her story comes to an end, and personally I don't think Blizzard is done with her just yet.

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I have a feeling that we'll see a repeat of WC3's story...Xe'Naga turn out to be good, and they make Kerrigan, Zeratul and Raynor ally together to eliminate some other alien race that's a threat to them all.

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I doubt it.

But my personal guess has always been that we won't see much of the Xel'Naga until the first expansion.

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The best part of this is that it could be used as a growing experience for Kerrigan's character. I'm reminded of the words of Merlin in the film Excalibur: "You betrayed the Duke. You stole his wife. You took his castle. Now no one trusts you."

Kerrigan standing alone, abandoned before an implacable foe yet again. Only this time she's abandoned due to her own folly. And all she had to do was not kill people for no particular reason.

However, I don't think for a minute that Blizzard's going to do that. It's way too subtle a point for them.

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I don't know. While that would be interesting for sure, it'd break her mystique. She wouldn't be as dangerous or cunning, and instead she'd just be... piteous.

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Kerrigan should never ally anyone again it would.. ugh it wouldnt make any sense because everyone should know no matter what happens kerrigan is going to try and kill you.

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An alliance doesn't have to be a big, formal thing. There wasn't an alliance between DuGaulle and Mengsk's forces at the big battle at the end of BW. But they didn't actively go after each other either.

All you need is an understanding that there's a more important enemy out there and that all sides are attacking it.

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I have a feeling that we'll see a repeat of WC3's story...Xe'Naga turn out to be good, and they make Kerrigan, Zeratul and Raynor ally together to eliminate some other alien race that's a threat to them all.

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It's been a while since I've played WC3, and I didn't play it all the way through, but how is that a repeat of WC3's storyline? The Xel'Naga would presumably be playing the part of the Burning Legion, yes?

Further, it'd be kind of difficult to do. You'd be introducing, not only a 4th side to the conflict, but a fifth. Introducing both the main heroes and main villains in the same story is... not a good idea. Especially when we already have plenty of established villains and/or heroes.

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I don't know. While that would be interesting for sure, it'd break her mystique. She wouldn't be as dangerous or cunning, and instead she'd just be... piteous.

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It'd require significant writing skill to make it work. But really, it's the only direction for her character to actually grow in. As she herself said, she's "Queen Bitch of the Universe." The only place to go from the top is... down.

We don't know whether the Xel'Naga are benevolent or malevolent creatures. One only assumes they are back to correct their past mistakes, ie- destroying the Zerg and Protoss and preventing further damage from their experimental meddling.

But like Alex06 mentioned, what if the Xel'Naga aren't back to do that? What if they made another experiment beyond the Protoss and Zerg, and that race turned out far worse than the previous? That could easily become a new threat that changes everyone's game plan.

Of course we won't know anything until we actually play through the singleplayer or get more information on the Xel'Naga.

Actually, this possibility is very much already set in place. A common theory is that Duran created his Hybrids under the instruction of the Xel'Naga. Should the Xel'Naga lose control of the Hybrids (which mind you, is a recurring theme for them), they would effectively become the 'fifth' side. Conversely, if Duran isn't affiliated with the Xel'Naga, then they are already a fifth side to the conflict.

Duran = Medivh lulz

The Xel'Naga were not wrathful as they were chased from Aiur, but rather ashamed they had pushed their progeny too far, too fast. As for the Zerg... they never did ANYTHING the Xel'Naga didn't want them to. Their destruction and assimilation were assured. Given that the Overmind was a naturally psychic creature, they should have - and perhaps did - foresee the fall.

With all that said, if Duran IS a true servant of the 'Naga, then it is clear that not only have they abandoned the Dae'Uhl, but non-aggression against alien races as well. The 'Naga have not been idle these past few centuries.

You know what I think? Duran = ATLAS! :D

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As for the Zerg... they never did ANYTHING the Xel'Naga didn't want them to.

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That's ... unexpected. The xel'naga no longer knew what the Overmind was up to once it cut its psychic connection to them. (And no, I don't think the xel'naga could see the future, at least not clearly.) I believe it was afterward the xel'naga built that giant bug zapper on Shakuras.

i dont think kerrigan would be even remotely interested in allying with mengsk, she even mentions she has a personal vendetta against him